Course units
Stage 1
In Stage 1 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 4 in order to progress to Stage 2.
Introduction to Fashion Design and Development (20 credits)
This unit introduces you to your course, its subject area, and how to study effectively at undergraduate level. It will orientate you to the practices and knowledge-base needed to understand your discipline and help you to develop your skills for independent and collaborative learning, reflection and your own self development. Students come from diverse educational backgrounds, and this unit will help you reflect on your own and how it influences your approach to the course.
Creative Technologies (40 credits)
This unit will introduce you to core creative and technical skills required for the design, development and realisation of products within your specialised area of study. You’ll learn about materials, definitions and terminology relevant to your specialism. Different methodologies will be introduced to develop your research and design skills. Principles and techniques of pattern cutting, construction methods, production techniques and prototyping skills will aid your understanding of creative product development.
Fashion Cultures and Histories (20 credits)
You’ll take a philosophical and theoretical approach to the study of fashion and its role in representing and communicating identity. Understand key ways of thinking about fashion across its cultural, historical, social and political contexts. Engage in debate and analysis of fashion as a key marker of social and cultural change and a means of understanding the relationship between individuals and communities.
Product Development (40 credits)
A fashion product designer should show consideration for the market they are designing for. To develop an understanding of the fashion industry from micro and macro perspectives, through designing for a chosen market, consumer and acknowledging any ethical, social and environmental issues. You’ll be introduced to designing for others through diverse perspectives and using this knowledge to design products with purpose.
Stage 2
In Stage 2 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 5 to progress to Stage 3.
Critical Issues in Fashion Research (20 credits)
Expand your critical understanding of fashion in a global context and examine emerging debates in fashion research. You’ll engage in collaborative research around current and emerging cultural issues and be guided through approaches to researching and writing about fashion across its social, historical, political and cultural contexts, building on the first-year unit Fashion Cultures and Histories. During this unit, you’ll develop your own independent research path and interests.
Professional Project (40 credits)
This unit raises your awareness and opportunities within the global fashion industry, and you’ll situate your creative practice within design and production contexts. To an industry-focused brief, you’ll design and develop a range of products that will demonstrate your market and brand awareness. You’ll continue to develop your skills, through designing for others, developing forward-thinking creative responses and outcomes to an industry-focused brief.
Industry Project (40 credits)
This unit will ask you to question and challenge how you approach design and manufacturing. You’ll test and broaden your multi-disciplinary skillset and the ability to develop products to an industry brief, through understanding how to design to realise change within the fashion system. By evaluating existing production models, you’ll develop appropriate design solutions and actions that demonstrate an informed and critical understanding of sustainable production methods and supply chains.
Future Technologies (20 credits)
This unit will expand your awareness of the wider ethical and sustainable issues facing the industry through various lectures, workshops, engagement with diverse practices, communities and future fashion thinking. You’ll engage with investigating current & emerging technologies to explore new opportunities. By adopting a systems design approach, you’ll develop a globalised view of your practice relative to different consumer needs, with consideration of the social and environmental impact of products.
Optional Diploma Year
Industry DIPS
This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.
Enterprise DIPS
This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an enterprise placement year where you will explore a business idea from proposal to minimal viable product (MVP). As well as developing enterprise skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.
CCI Creative Computing
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development (with Creative Computing).
CCI Apple Diploma
Between years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Apple Development. This will give you an opportunity to become an accredited apple developer alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Development (with Apple Development).
Stage 3
In Stage 3 you are required to complete 120 credits at level 6.
Contextualising Practice (20 credits)
Through a research-led, extended essay, you’ll build on your historical and theoretical understanding of fashion, addressing critical debates and concerns raised through your course. After identifying a topic relating to your field of practice, you’ll complete an independent research project, underpinned with cultural and critical theory.
Concept Development (40 credits)
Your own creative vision will provide a platform from which you’ll be able to produce an innovative and enterprising viable industry proposition, informed by appropriate research and development. Utilising the knowledge and experience gained, you’ll formulate a strategy that critically informs your design, addressing its impact on society, the environment, and business practices. The concept development strategy will underpin the rest of your final year of study.
Product Realisation (60 credits)
This unit utilises concept development outcomes to cultivate deeper design and development opportunities. The unit will enable you to further research into and develop your personal creative identity in the form of an extended project. It will highlight the diverse range of innovative practices and approaches used within your design and product development process. You’ll present your work using media appropriate to your creative practice and preparing you for your future career in the industry.
A 20-credit unit is approximately equivalent to 200 hours of learning time, which includes a mixture of taught time, independent study and assessment.
All students are entitled to a tutorial package that comprises:
- one induction tutorial (group or one-to-one);
- one tutorial per term for the duration for their course of study at LCF;
- group tutorials as required;
- an appropriate level of confidentiality.
